First Night OfHanukkah Celebrated With Menorah Lighting

Rabbi Marjorie Slome, of the West End Temple, join cousins Jonathan and Hanah Gliboff in preparing to light the Menorah.

Despite a steady rain, Sunday’s ceremony to light the Menorah on Beach 116 Street brings out one of the largest crowds in recent memory. This year three synagogues on the Peninsula – Congregation Ohab Zedek, Temple Beth El and West End Temple – will alternate nights leading the ceremony to light the candles. Photos by Miriam Rosenberg After the Menorah is lit, the crowd gathers in North Fork Bank’s ATM lobby for cookies, chocolate Hanukkah coins (Gelt) and hot chocolate. Brenda Boden, the manager of North Fork Bank, came through and donated the area when it became clear the weather wouldn’t cooperate with the planned outdoor gathering. The crowd sings songs during the ceremony leading up to the lighting of the first candle for Hanukkah 2005. Early arrivers gather around the soon-to-be lit Menorah before the ceremony begins. The first light celebrating the Festival of Lights shines against the night sky. Some of those who attended the lighting pose for The Wave’s camera. Included in the picture are Democratic District Leader Lew Simon, Rotary President Barbara Morris, Rabbi Marjorie Slome of the West End Temple, Rabbi Matthew Kessler of a Far Rockaway synagogue, Gary Gliboff of West End Realty and cousins Jonathan and Hanah Gliboff. The West End Temple’s Rabbi Marjorie Slome leads everyone in song. Gary Gliboff, of West End Realty, served hot chocolate to all who wanted it. Steve Good, owner of the Beach Club and the Sunset Diner, provided the cookies and hot chocolate; and Brown’s Hardware donated the chocolates and the base of the Menorah.